Straw-rack.



J. C. McKENNA.

' STRAW RACK.

APPLICATION mu) um 29. 19H].

1,277,61 8. PatentedSept. 3,1915.

'J. C. l l Kx zmm portant JOHN c. MCKENNA, or 0T0, IOWA.

STRAW-RACK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jorm G. MoKnnNa, a citizen of the United States, residing at ()to, in thecounty of Woodbury and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw-Racks, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in straw racks and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character embodied in a threshing or grain separating machine and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby straw is caused to travel thereover with the possibility of the straw stopping or bunching being substantiallyientirely eliminated.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved straw rack including a plurality of longitudinally spaced series of fingers mounted for rocking movement in a vertical path and wherein adjacent series of fingers move in opposite directions and wherein the limit of upward movement of the fingers is substantially horizontal.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved straw rack whereby certain imadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to de scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a straw rack constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, said figure being somewhat of a diagrammatic; character;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure as disclosed in Fig. 1%; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings my improved rack comprises the suitably supported side members 1 which rotatably support a plurality of transversely Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

Application filed January 29, 191$. Serial No. 214,339.

disposed rock shafts 2 arranged in predetermined spaced relation longitudinally of the side members or beams 1. Adjacent shafts 2 have loosely engaged therewith the end portions of the downwardly curved or bowed bars 3, the connection of the bars 3 with the rock shafts 2 being. loose so that said bars or rods 3 will offer no obstruction to the requisite rocking movement of the shafts. The bars or rods 3 are disposed longitudinally of the beams or side members 1 and afford therebetween grate sections to permit droppin therethrough of the loosened grain carrie by the straw as the straw travels over the rack. The rack leads from the cylinder of the threshing machine or other source of supply. Each of the shafts 2 is provided with a plurality of rearwardly directed arms or fingers 4 which, when at the limit of their upward movement are substantially horizontal and which, on their downward movement pass between the rods or bars 3 and between the side bars or rods 3 and the side members or beams 1.

The corresponding end portions of the shafts 2 are provided with the rock arms 5 herein disclosed as depending therefrom and the alternate rock arms 5 are operatively connected with a common rod 6.

By this arrangement two sets of arms or fingers 4 are provided and the rods 6 afford means whereby the arms or fingers 4: may be swung or moved reversely with respect to the arms or fingers 4: of a second set.

7 denotes a shaft adapted to be rotated in any desired manner and provided with the reversely directed cranks 8 and operatively engaged with each of the cranks 8 is the pitman 9 which is also operatively engaged with the rod 6. By this arrange ment it will be at once selfevident that upon rotation of the shaft 7 the rods 6 will be moved in unison but in opposite directions resulting in one set of arms or fingers 4 swinging upwardly with the second set of arms or fingers 4 swinging downwardly.

The reverse movement of the alternate series of fingers or arms 4 results in a rapid travel of the straw along the rack and prevents a stopping or bunching of the straw which would otherwise interfere with the successful operation of the threshing cylinder or the like. By having the rods 3 downwardly bowed, baskets are afforded between the shafts 2 into which the straw falls. When the first set of fingers 4 swing upwardly they throw the straw into the second basket. The second set of fingers 4 then strike the straw from below and effectively knock out the grain and throw the straw to the next basket, and so on.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a straw rack constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated and it will also be obvious that my invention, is susceptible of some change and modification without. departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A straw rack comprising a pair of side members, transversely disposed rock shafts supported by said side members and spaced apart longitudinally of the side members, a series of rearwardly directed fingers carried by each of the rock shafts, means for imparting reverse rocking movement to the shafts, and rods bridging the space between adjacent shafts, said rods being downwardly bowed.

2. A straw rack including a plurality of transversely disposed series of fingers mounted for rocking movement in a vertical plane, said series being arranged in longitudinal alinement and discharging one upon the other, means for imparting rocking movement to the fingers with the fingers of alternate series moving in reverse directions, the limit of upward movement of each of the series of the fingers being substantially at the horizontal, and rods bridging the space between adjacent series of fingers, said rods being downwardly bowed.

3. A straw rack including a plurality of transversely disposed series of fingers mounted for rocking movement in a vertical plane, said series being arrangedin longitudinal alincment and discharging one upon the other, means for imparting rocking movement to the fingers with the fingers of alternate series moving in reverse directions, the limit of upward movement of each of the series of the fingers being substantially at the horizontal, and rods bridgix'lg the space between adjacent series of fingers, said rods having their intermediate portions extended downwardly.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. MoKENNA.

Witnesses P. G. YRIEDESEL, H. R. MOTTER.

'flopies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, 11.0?

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